GAS SHORTAGE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10633, 5 July 1920, Page 5

GAS SHORTAGE

INSUFFICIENT COAL AVAILABLE. IN PARLOUS TIMES. It was' feared by tlic officials of the Gas Company on Saturday that owing to the shortage of coal tho supply of gas would have to bo cut off yesterday. This step was fortunately not found necessary, tho weather remaining mild the'■ consumption-.of gas yesterday was below tho average. Tho bulk Helen Denny discharged ICO tons of coal at Miramar wharf for.tho gas works on Saturday. Tho Union Steam Ship Company and the Coal _ Trade Committee endeavoured in vain to persuade the waterside workers to discharge tho coal from the steamer Waipori yesterday, so that the public would not bo inconvenienced. Tho. Waterside Workers' Union, however; lias laid down tho principle that no cargo should be worked on Sundays. The coal discharged from tho Helen Denny will furnish enough gas to last till this morning only. The steamer Waipori is to bo taken round early this morning from town to tho Miramar wharf to put out 500 tons of Newca.Ttle coal, which will tido over the difficulty for three days. The next shipment of coal available for the gas [works will be ex tho Karamu, which is duo at Wellington about Saturday With 950 tons from Grey mouth. Unless coal supplies can bo drawn from other sources before Saturday, householders are faced with the prospect of a cutting-off of their gas.